Take Me Home (The Heartbreak Brothers 1)

Maddie cupped the back of her neck with her palm. Her skin felt clammy and warm. “A couple of months, I think. He’s helping his dad repair the house.”

“Gina will love that. She’s always complaining about that house. And of course she loves it when her boys come home. They don’t do it enough.” She clucked her tongue.

Maddie gave her mom a smile and headed down the hallway. She didn’t want to think about Gray Hartson right now. It had been a long day and she was beat. Maybe a shower would spruce her up.

* * *

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Mac Johnson said, his head shaking as he stared at Gray through his cellphone screen. “Those pipes are at least fifty years old. See that corrosion there on the right? That pipe’s made of lead. Some of the others look more like galvanized steel from what I can tell. But without seeing it for myself all I can do is make a best guess. Do you know when the pipes were last replaced?”

“I think Dad did it when he and mom first got married.” Gray ran his thumb along his jaw. “I guess that was about forty years ago.”

“Yeah, that’s where the steel pipes come from. The lead ones could be originals. If it was my house, I’d rip ’em all out and start from scratch.”

“How long will that take?” That was Tanner. He leaned over the phone, fascinated that Gray was casually taking advice from one of the Johnson brothers.

“If it was me, a week. For amateurs? Your guess is as good as mine.” His brows pulled together. “Are you sure you want to do this, Gray? I could understand if you were doing it for publicity or charity. But anything else? Call in a professional.”

“Why does everybody keep asking me that?”

“Because you’re crazy, bro,” Tanner told him. Mac laughed.

“You should listen to him,” Mac agreed. “Pay a professional, then go make another million dollar album.”

“I’m doing it myself,” Gray told him.

“He’s stubborn as hell.” Tanner shrugged. “We all are. When he sets his mind on something there’s no persuading him otherwise.”

“Yeah, well he might need that if he’s replacing the pipes.” Mac sighed. “I’ve spoken to a plumber friend of mine and he’s going to draw up a plan for you. List out the supplies you need, the timeline for repairs, what tools you’ll want, and the sequence to replace it all. But you have to realize, this is a professional job. I wouldn’t expect to pick up a guitar and be able to play it right away. You shouldn’t expect to be able to do this either. You

will make mistakes and you will cause damage.”

“That sounds ominous.” Tanner smirked.

“Are you going to be helping him?” Mac asked.

“Not for long. I’m heading back home after next weekend. After that, he’s on his own.”

“I’ll be here,” Becca protested. “I can help.”

“You look like the most sensible of all of them.” Mac nodded. “All right, I’d better go. We’ve got a meeting on next season in half an hour.”

“Okay.” Gray nodded. “Thanks, Mac. I appreciate it.”

“And I’ll appreciate it when you sing at my daughter’s wedding,” Mac said, winking at him. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

Gray hung up the phone and looked at his brother, who was biting down a smile. “I told you this was crazy,” Tanner said.

“Ignore him. You can do this, Gray. You were always working on the house when we were kids. And you fixed my bike when I crashed it into the wall, remember?” Becca grinned.

“You’re going to have to record this,” Tanner said, ruffling his little sister’s hair. “I need to see it in all it’s glory.”

“Nobody’s recording anything,” Gray growled. “When are you leaving exactly?”

“The Monday after my birthday. The same time that Cam and Logan will leave.” Their brothers were making a quick visit to town for the weekend of Tanner’s birthday, to celebrate with him and catch up with Gray, too.

“That reminds me. I spoke to Sam, and the Karaoke Contest is a go,” Becca said, her eyes sparkling. “Eight o’clock sharp at the Moonlight Bar.”

“Karaoke contest?” Gray shook his head. “Seriously?”